I'm still very new to this message board and don't know who's who online really at all. I've been collecting records for quite sometime. I also played in a thrash/crossover band for about eight years. Now that I don't have a band and I'm still the same dork collector of metal that I was when I started, I want to give back in some way.

I'm in the process of releasing some vinyl of my own. It's a way to try and help out bands that I'm stoked on, as I'm sure many of you are already very familiar with.

Yosuke has been fucking awesome as to providing me with insight on how to get everything done, if you haven't done it before. We emailed each other a few times back and forth.

I wanted to start this topic as an open forum for tips and ideas on releasing records by yourself, if anyone would like to help me out.

I also have three jobs, and I'm in college fulltime, so I can't check the board as often as I'd like to. Anyways, this is way too long. My ears are open to suggestions. Thanks!

There is already a resources thread but we can keep this one just about pressing vinyl.

I guess there are several factors that go into why you go with one pressing plant over another. Ultimately, for most people, the cost of manufacturing is probably the biggest factor when considering where to get stuff made. I would recommend the following combination of factories in the US if you want to keep your costs low.

Vinyl: United Record Pressing. Not the thicking vinyl but certainly much cheaper than going through GZ.

Jackets: Dorado Press. They have the best regular LP jackets. Very inexpensive if you don't do anything fancy like foil stamp or spot UV.

I usually use GZ/Pirates Press because I can do drop shipments to my distributors in Europe and they can do a lot of different custom jobs like big booklets glued inside of a clothbound casewrapped jackets that's foil stamped with black foil. You couldn't do anything that crazy unless you went to Thingmakers or the like (which I do not recommend unless you're a masochist)._________________Contact: nwnprod@gmail.com
Web: nwnprod.com

I usually use GZ/Pirates Press because I can do drop shipments to my distributors in Europe and they can do a lot of different custom jobs like big booklets glued inside of a clothbound casewrapped jackets that's foil stamped with black foil.

I usually use GZ/Pirates Press because I can do drop shipments to my distributors in Europe and they can do a lot of different custom jobs like big booklets glued inside of a clothbound casewrapped jackets that's foil stamped with black foil.

This is especially true if you are pressing quantities smaller than 500.

Whats funny about that is I live in Denver, CO where Aardvark is based out of. I've spoken to them before about mastering and their services, but I'm still confused on what is reasonable for pricing.

Laquering, plating, mastering, and pressing are all mixed up for me when it comes to putting out a record. Does anyone know what Aardvark does that will limit my costs at a place such as United or Pirates Press?

I've never had major issues with getting stuff mastered at United. Some people want very specific sound when they press vinyl. I just want it to sound like the master audio I send in._________________Contact: nwnprod@gmail.com
Web: nwnprod.com

United has different costs for doing 45rpm or 33rpm vinyl, so if you're doing 45rpm you wouldn't save any money getting your mastering/plating done at Aardvark.

Using Aardvark and then someone like Bill Smith or Archer is preferable over United in the case when you have a release that includes a cover or samples, since United requires proof that you have the right to do the cover/use the sample, something small DIY-labels are usually unable to obtain/afford.